Songs, Fish & Markets

Hello, family and friends. This is Stefene bringing you the latest news of your beloved Team Jamaica. Thank you so much for all your love and support, it brings so much joy to our team to receive all of your encouraging comments. When I was asked to write the blog tonight, I decided to write it in my own style. So here it goes. . .

What a glorious morning
Lindsey and Kristin waking us up
With heavy eyes, we roll out of bed
Breakfast time, grab a plate and a cup
Cinnamon rolls, bananas, cereal and more
Some eggs, some bacon, and orange juice galore
Wash those dishes, and onto the bus
I got the bug spray, so don’t you fuss
We were off to lead devotions
Teach kids songs and all these silly motions
We shared a skit about getting caught up in sin
The only way to be free is to let Jesus in
Then Garrett came up and explained it all
He shared that we all mistakes and sometimes we fall
But the person we should look to is our Lord and Savior
He will help us stand firm in righteous behavior
Then off we went again, with our bus driver Chris
We had errands to run, lunch being the top of our list
Some good Jamaican cocoa bread
Beef and chicken patties
We ate till we were full,
Don’t worry we’re not turning into fatties
We then went to a community center for local youth
We sang songs of love, and God's truth
We danced around and then it was craft time
We made beautiful fish, that glittered and shined
We ended our time with a fun little game
called heads up seven up, it was anything but lame

We were sad to leave, but promised to returnWith more games and songs and some time to learn
Then off we went to go souvenir shopping
At the Jamaican craft market where there is lots of bargaining
We bought some cool stuff
And made some great friends
And vendors would call to us
And vow they were the only one with the latest trends
With the lowest prices, or so we thought
We learned quickly, to look around before we bought
You would be proud to see the skills we gained
To buy what we wanted without our pockets being pained
Sam and Garrett found a unique little shop
That didn’t look like any others, out of all it was top
The girls buying jewelry, the boys buying who knows what
We all had fun going from little hut to hut
Everyone selling just about the same stuff
A couple hours and we all had enough
Listening to our tummy’s we decided to go
It was close to dinner time and we were running low on dough
So we drove back home for some amazing food
Beef stew, corn and buttered fish to put us in a better mood
Once dinner was done we were off again
A walk into town to run into old friends
To talk about Christ or just hang out
We run into those who sing, scream and shout
Available and willing to be God’s tools Knowing that every person we run into are His precious jewels
People we run into are always saying
How we are different, we are so friendly
We met a man named Scratchy who came up to us
He wanted to hang out and learn something about Jesus
What a wonderful night, we all headed back
So tired and exhausted it was time to hit the sack
Praise God for these opportunities, these moments
He is our strength and guide despite our weakness
Doing His work brings joy to the heart Struggles and laughter, they all play a part
So be confident to know that God is so real in us

Stretching and pulling, we’re stepping out and learning to trust
Everyone encouraging each other and growing lasting bonds
Our team is doing well and it won’t be long
Until we come home to you all
So for now we must go where God has called

Ps:
To GG from Jen- GG, Jen brought the Glass Castle and she just finished it. . . she said that it was AMAZING and can’t wait to see you at the airport!

Pss: Andrew! Happy birthday!!! I really wish I was there to celebrate with you, I hope that it was a blast! I love you bud! See you in just a few days! -Tyler

Psss:
Dad, Mom, Sarah, Josiah, Jacob, Sheri, Shayna, Sianna, Samara, Jared and baby Shanen-I miss you and love each of you and can’t wait to come home and share with you all the things God is doing and has done in me. You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday and I know I am in yours as well. Did you guys get my car? How’s all that going? Well, I love you and waiting anxiously for your comments:)
Tommy-one word for you: RIDICULOUS:), thank you for the gifts. They get more and more interesting each day. I really can’t wait for you to explain each of them to me, they have been an encouragement to me:)hope to hear from you soon-miss you!; Chelse-I miss you and love you and I will see you when I come back in like four days!